Winter Hair Color Update + Brigitte Bardot-Inspired Holiday Hairstyle

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‘Tis the season for change, right? I’ve been wanting to switch up my hair for a while now, but after damaging my hair so badly during my blonde pageant days (click here for evidence), I’m wary of intense color treatments. We’re also saving to buy a house, so monthly trips to the salon aren’t exactly in my budget. That’s why I decided to color my hair at home. I’ve heard wonderful things about Schwarzkopf® Keratin Color, so I picked up a box of 3.0- Espresso during my last Target run. Espresso is a rich brown shade that’s just a tad bit darker than my natural hair color, so I felt super comfortable giving it a go on my own. I’ve gotta admit, it’s the best $10 I’ve spent in a long time.

Keep reading to learn more about my at-home hair coloring experience and to check out a fun and festive Brigitte Bardot-inspired holiday hair tutorial!

Winter Hair Color Update

As much as I love DIY beauty treatments, permanent hair dye can be a doozie. It’s so important that you find a product that works for your hair type. One of the main reasons I chose Schwarzkopf® Keratin Color is because of their K-BOND PLEX™ conditioner. Its salon inspired anti-breakage technology repairs the inner hair structure and coats the hair surface after the coloration process for strong, healthy looking hair. For someone like me who has recurring nightmares about her hair falling out, this was a big selling point.

So, fair warning– these photos aren’t glamorous. However, I wanted to show how ridiculously easy it is to color your hair at home. I’m honestly not sure what I was so afraid of. If you follow the instructions correctly, you’ll be done in about 35-40 minutes.

The at-home hair color with keratin treatment starts with a Pre-Color Serum. It conditions the hair before coloring to provide a more even color result from root to tip. Then comes the Color Creme with Keratin-Complex, which offers long-lasting color (and gray coverage!) for up to 28 washings. Once your hair is completely covered, you let it sit for 30 minutes. When the time is up, wash it out with warm water until the water runs clear and apply the K-BOND PLEX™ conditioner.

You can see my before/after results below! I’m so happy with the way it turned out — I absolutely love the espresso shade! It’s perfect for winter, and it was the exact change I was hoping for. Plus, my hair has never felt softer or looked shinier!

Brigitte Bardot-Inspired Holiday Hair Tutorial

What’s the best way to show off new hair? A festive new hairstyle! I love Brigitte Bardot’s hair (who doesn’t?), and since I’m on a DIY kick, I also wanted to show how easy it is to recreate her signature half-up look at home. This hairstyle looks great on medium to long (to very long) hair, and it’s one of my go-to holiday hairstyles!

Then, curl the top section (step 5). Taking an elastic band (these are so much better than hair ties in my experience!) and pull about a third of your hair back into a high ponytail (steps 6 and 7). It should sit high up on your crown, otherwise, it’ll be tough to get the right amount of volume. Once secured with an elastic, gently pull at the base of the ponytail to lift and volumize even more (step 8). ​

Add even more volume to your Brigitte Bardot hair by teasing at the base of your ponytail (both underneath and on the top) to create more lift (step 9). Then, tame any stray hairs and flyaways with hairspray (step 10). Finally, tie a ribbon or a bow around the elastic to add a fun, festive, and retro finishing touch to your look (steps 11 and 12).

Since it’s December, I went with a bright red bow. I don’t care how old you are, you’re never too old for a pretty red ribbon in your hair.

Did I mention this Brigitte Bardot half-up hairstyle is perfect for holiday parties? Pair your red hair bow with some bright red lipstick, and you’ll be amazed how many compliments you receive — especially if you’re also debuting a fun new hair color!​​